Justice Abu Ahmed Jamadar reappointed to ICT-1

The government reconstituted the International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) by appointing a member to the tribunal, following over a month's stalemate in war crimes trial.

Justice Abu Ahmed Jamader of the High Court Division has been reappointed as a member of the tribunal, said a gazette notification issued by the law ministry yesterday.

He was appointed member of the ICT after his retirement as a district judge.

Later in May this year, he was appointed as a judge of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court.

Justice Ahmed's appointment to the HC created a vacuum in the tribunal.

Currently, legal proceedings of 33 cases are pending with the tribunal.

In addition, a case filed against five Patuakhali men for committing crimes against humanity has been awaiting verdict since May 30, after both prosecution and defence completed their closing arguments.

Previously on many occasions, after reconstitution tribunal heard closing arguments afresh.

However, this time, it is not clear if the closing arguments will be heard again as the reconstitution took place with a same member.

The International Crimes Tribunal was formed in March 2010, and a second tribunal was formed in March 2012, which is non-functional since September 2015.